We have just learned via a Freedom of Information request by the Toronto Star that notwithstanding months of misleading reassurances to the effect that the “falling concrete” problem was superficial, nearly half of the elevated portion of the Gardiner Expressway is becoming structurally unstable and those entire portions will have to be fully rebuilt. Continue reading →

While this post is about Dublin, Ireland, it could just as easily be about Toronto and it’s problematic and challenging love/hate relationship with it’s “street furniture,” “publicly accessible private space” and the street-maiming “outdoor advertising strategy.” Just so you know, I’m all for limiting private cars in Toronto’s core – so long as it comes with improved and elegant public transit – Ed.

Dublin, Ireland, is considering a new approach to its dense downtown core that will prioritize space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit. As the The Irish Times reports, car through-traffic would be strongly discouraged in the city’s center under a new plan developed by city planners. Continue reading →

Cleanliness of city parks is a direct responsibility of the City. It’s a tough job in a big city and the the sanitation department can use your help.

Selfish, thoughtless citizens and organizations throw tons of garbage, illegally, into parks, ravines and green spaces every day – into areas where dogs run, children play and adults go for a bit of peace and quiet – severely detracting from public enjoyment of the park. It’s a health and safety hazard. The Friends of Dieppe Park believe it’s a basic right to be free of the effects of illegal dumping.

When illegal dumping occurs and is reported by calling the non-emergency number 311, the City is obligated to respond. It’s been my experience that the response time is usually “reasonable.” Friends of Dieppe Park believe that citizens have a civic duty to phone in a complaint or observation of illegal dumping for the health and safety of all citizens.

When that call is made – yes, you can call without giving your name – the City is now aware of the problem and is obligated to take action. Moreover, the incident is tracked and becomes part of an ongoing record of problem areas and resources can be better channeled to deal with ongoing illegal dumping.

After a call to 311, you can also call the office of your local councilor and make them aware of the situation for their own records and possible future action. If you don’t know the name and number of your councilor, you can ask during your 311 call.

When you call about illegal dumping, it’s very helpful if you can describe or list the type of material dumped. For example, if it’s a refrigerator, stove or car, that would require different pickup equipment and personnel than say a few bags of household rubbish. Often, the operator will give you a confirmation or case number that you can use to track and follow up on the report. Be persistent and call back if no action is taken within a reasonable time.

If you observe an act of illegal dumping FODP suggests that you:

Ensure your own safety, and those you are responsible for, first and foremost

Note time, date and place

Observe the vehicle

Do not make your presence known

Do not touch the material dumped

Report the vehicle, not the individual

Record license plate number, vehicle description

Call the non-emergency number 311

You can also report overflowing public garbage cans, which can be just as much as a health hazard, using the 311 number.

As a matter of public safety, you may also want to report standing water in parks and green areas. This is important from April to August as this is prime mosquito breeding time and concerns about West Nile Virus, while often overblown, are not without basis. The Toronto Public Health (TPH) and Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) have developed a joint West Nile Virus response protocol and are obliged to act.

On behalf of Friends of Dieppe Park, I just wanted to add a few things or make minor changes on the written comments I left at the artificial ice rink (A.I.R.) presentation on Thursday evening. There’s a lot of stuff here and a few of them may require a little more discussion, but it’s a start. Continue reading →

One sunny morning this week, I went for a walk in David Balfour Park near Yonge and St. Clair. Spreading across the roof of a reservoir, it used to be a well-tended expanse of green. Now, like many parks and other grassy spaces, it has a scruffy, neglected look.

While this isn’t a park-specific post it does speak widely to what is being done around the world to improve our experience of city streets. It’s starts out mostly about bikes (Mike’s a cycling advocate), but soon progresses to shared experiences for all users – drivers included. Narower streets, slower speeds, fewer signs, bike specific lanes, etc. Lots of external links for further reading – Ed.Continue reading →